Questions To Ask Before Performing A Home Addition

As your needs evolve, you might require more space and functionality with your home without desiring to move out. If you still love your house and its location, you have to decide between a home renovation or a home addition to make your home more functional for your needs.

While it might seem like a value addition, adding more space to your house doesn’t necessarily translate into more money when you choose to sell. So, before deciding to add more space to your house, consider the following questions:

Are there other ways to gain space without adding a room?

Adding a new room is a clear way to add more space to your already existing property. However, there are other options too. You can use your existing space more efficiently by clearing out unneeded stuff and making use of the space it provides. Your basement and attic can be put to smarter use without having to make any additions. Likewise, a bump out can provide you with the required space without having to add a whole room.

How well does the addition match the rest of the house?

Additions to your house can appear off and awkward. It is thus important that you are able to make the addition appear as organic as possible. However, with the difficulties involved in matching the rest of the house for style (such as the window, siding or stonework), special attention has to be paid to making the addition seem complementary. You want the addition to appear as though it has always been there so that you are able to get a good resale value on the building.

How well does the addition fit into the neighborhood?

An addition to your home will provide you with the space your family needs right now, but how will it affect the standing of your home in the neighborhood? An expansion to a house in a starter-home neighborhood, for instance, might put off first time buyers who need smaller houses. You also want to be careful that the expansion does not contradict the neighborhood style, except it is a neighborhood of custom homes. Be sure to contact a home appraiser with your plans and get their advice before moving on to the project.

Do you have a solid plan?

What do you really want? Be clear about what you want and begin seeking solutions to possible challenges. Draw up your building plans months before you plan to begin the work so that you can make changes and adjust to potential problems. Confirm with your local planning authority that your plans are in line with your local requirements and get your plan approved. Before filing for building permits, convert your draft plans into final plans that are drafted to scale. Be sure to cover all of your bases – how the addition will be integrated, potential structural problems and how to deal with them, required upgrades, etc. – and consult with an architect to ensure the plan is fail proof.

Do you have a contingency budget?

With your plan in place, you are sure to have a clear budget structure for your addition. But construction has a way of exceeding set out budgets. Rather than allowing yourself to be taken by surprise, plan for an excess. Put away an excess of 15 – 20% of the estimated expenses for contingency. And be sure to plan for the increase in taxes and utility bills that will arise from your addition.

If you have any questions about performing a custom home addition for your property or looking for a consultation, be sure to contact us at Golden Acre Renovations for any of your home addition needs.